Read and Prosper

Namibia aims to become a knowledge-based economy by 2030. We all know that knowledge is power and we all recall the age-old wise saying “my people perish because of lack of knowledge” .

To me, the promotion of literacy and especially a reading culture among our future leaders is the key. Research reveals that in some parts of the globe particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, many youth leave school without mastering basic reading competencies. This is indeed very sad and this trend should not be encouraged to continue because if it does we are doomed.

The good news is that knowledge can be acquired. Projects like the Let’s Read initiative of The Namibian, bring knowledge to the heart of the nation, its youth.

Now, no Namibian child will be left behind. A wealth of information is delivered to the front door of the youth and all that is required of them is to read: read national and international news, get updates on sports and lifestyle issues and build a rich general knowledge and vocabulary.

For the last four years and some months it has been my clarion call that education is too important to be left to government alone. Education is most definitely a shared responsibility.

My ministry wholeheartedly welcomes this initiative by The Namibian. I sincerely hope that other corporate citizens will emulate this intervention as it is aimed at eradicating illiteracy in our schools and communities.

This project excites me. By making all this knowledge available to the Namibian youth, this project contributes to the achievement of national development goals and enriches the lives of the leaders of tomorrow. It empowers the youth and exposes them to the world they will inherit, the world they will take forward.

I urge students and learners to grab this opportunity and read the constructive articles to build your vocabulary and knowledge of what is going on around you.

I trust that teachers will embrace Let’s Read and make it part of their daily world of teaching and learning.

Our education system has undergone major review which aims to ensure that those who go through its doors are self-reliant. (A reading period is now being introduced.)

We are forging forward producing students who do not only look good on paper but who are very eloquent and communicate clearly and easily in English, the official language. The new curriculum should not only place an emphasis on passing exams but should focus on mastering basic competencies including reading, writing and numeracy.

It is of paramount importance that a reading culture and a thirst for knowledge are inculcated in the hearts and minds of the Namibian youth and indeed every Namibian.

Let us read and prosper because we have knowledge and we know how to apply it. Read on.